Assembly bill seeks softening of Three Strikes law

SACRAMENTO, Calif. 
The state Assembly has passed legislation that would ask voters to revise California's Three Strikes law as a way to reduce prison sentences and save money.

The bill, AB327, was supported largely by Democrats and passed with the bare majority needed to send it to the Senate, 41-33. Democratic Assemblyman Mike Davis of Los Angeles failed to pass the bill Monday but was able to secure enough votes a day later.

The legislation would put the question before voters. If passed, it would require a defendant's third strike to be for a serious or violent felony. Some third-strikers are convicted of lower-level felonies but still are sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in prison.

Republicans say the bill would water-down the law, approved by voters in 1994.